Chapter 2: Blockchain Primer

Authors

  • Michael Meth

Abstract

In chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 55, no. 8), “Blockchain in Libraries,” Michael Meth explains blockchain technology. He discusses the difference between private and public blockchains, the power consumption that blockchain needs to successfully run, and examples of the types of data that can be encoded in a blockchain. This chapter also explores how blockchain can help alleviate several privacy concerns related to sensitive data and answers why libraries should care about this emerging technology.

Author Biography

Michael Meth

Michael Meth is the Associate Dean, Research and Learning Services, at the Florida State University (FSU) Libraries. Michael has the pleasure of overseeing a team dedicated to shaping the libraries’ services for students and faculty, creating programs and partnerships that enhance and support research at all levels, and ensuring that the libraries are integrated into teaching and learning at FSU. Before coming to FSU, Michael was a librarian at the University of Toronto (UofT) libraries. There he was the Director of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) Library and also held an appointment as adjunct faculty at the Institute for Management of Innovation at UofT Mississauga. Michael has taught courses on leadership for aspiring librarians and information professionals at UofT’s iSchool and a finance course in the Department of Management at UofT Mississauga. Prior to this appointment at OISE, Michael was the Director of the Li Koon Chun Finance Learning Centre at the UofT Mississauga Library. He holds a master of information studies degree from UofT’s Faculty of Information Studies (now the iSchool) and a bachelor of business administration degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University. In 2014, Michael was selected as a Senior Fellow at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, and in 2013, he participated in Harvard’s Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians.

Downloads

Published

2019-11-20

Issue

Vol. 55 No. 8 (2019): November/December

Section

Chapters